NJ Licence Plates Everywhere, in Gatlinburg (Hackensack, Millburn: neighborhood, theater, high school)

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Once again, I'll ignore 90% of your post, and just focus on one piece that proves your instability.

Here you say "Not everyone who moves out of state is a whiner. Many go on to be happy where they are and prefer where they are while retaining fond memories of NJ as well", yet in the trolling thread you started in the Atlanta forum, your last statement was something to the effect of 'the people who leave NJ are weak, and can't cut it here. They move because they can't make it inthe fast-paced, high-priced lifestyle of NJ". You can't have it both ways, bro- so which is it?

You took that statement from the Atlanta thread out of context. People who leave NJ to move to ATLANTA can't handle the pace in NJ and can't cut it.

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

Tell you what- since you and I will obviously never agree on any of this, let's agree to leave each other's posts alone, rather than attempting to change each other's minds or prove each other wrong. Besides- eventually you'll be on your merry way to the Southwest (lord help them), and at that point, you won't be returning to the NJ forum anyway, since you'll be "fully embracing your life as a Californian", right?

Tell you what - I'll leave it alone when you and the other Jersey bashers stop bashing. But if people come onto the Jersey forum to bash NJ then I'm going to speak up.

I know, I know, your attitude is that people who defend NJ are NJ "cheerleaders" who want to "defend NJ to the death". Funny, you allow a whole lot of NJ bashing over here, but the instant I pointed out the negatives of Atlanta on the Atlanta forum you locked the thread. Great double standard you have there, Jersey-bashing Atlantan!

How dare anyone take pride in NJ when there is so much to criticize?? We should be talking about the problems and never, ever defend the state we live in! But Atlantans can rest assured that any such criticism of their hick heaven will not be tolerated and the gestapo will close down any such threads so as not to offend their delilcate redneck feelings.

And if and when the day comes that I move to the Southwest, you will see me in here reminiscing about the goodness of NJ and never bashing NJ. At this point in my life, no matter how much I might find another place to be "better" for me (if I even do), I have NO complaints about NJ, because the benefits of living here GREATLY outweigh any detriments, and that will not change.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

You took that statement from the Atlanta thread out of context. People who leave NJ to move to ATLANTA can't handle the pace in NJ and can't cut it.

You're too funny. OK, you're right....everyone who moves from NJ to Atlanta can't handle the pace and can't "cut it". It can't be because I can make as much money here as I did there, work 10-20 hours/week less, actually be able to shut my phone off when I leave the office, spend more time with my wife and kids, save more money, live in a larger, brand new home that doesn't require maintenance and repairs due to its age, and put more money in the bank. Nope- must be because I "can't cut it"......

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

Funny, you allow a whole lot of NJ bashing over here, but the instant I pointed out the negatives of Atlanta on the Atlanta forum you locked the thread. Great double standard you have there, Jersey-bashing Atlantan!

You didn't "come in and point out negatives", you came in and wrote a long, winding trolling diatribe about there was nothing redeeming in Atlanta, anyone who moved there from NJ was a loser who couldn't cut it, all they did was worship a monument to the civil war, etc., etc., etc.- let's not oversimplify it, now. You then even continue the bashing with your "hick" and "redneck" comments above. You don't see me coming in and calling the residents on NJ a bunch of gold-chain-wearing, wife-beating guidos, do you?

Anyway- have a good weekend- I've got work to do. Gotta try and see if I can "cut it" here.......lol

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

No, not "tons of money". Try reading more carefully. I said "so much money", as in enough money to be able to travel.

Compared to people in other states, NJ'ans travel much more. That explains the license plates in Gatlinsburg. That explains the NJ plates all over the nation, unlike any other state except maybe California or Florida, even NY, which are the only other plates I see all over the USA. And, in my experience, I have met so many New Jersyans everywhere I've been, both travelers and transplants.

As for the average family, obviously with children travel is more difficult and more expensive. The state is made up of more than just families with kids. There are seniors, singles, couples with no kids, couples with grown kids, etc. But, even as families go, NJ families travel extensively, if my friends and their families are any indication. As we speak, I have 3 friends who are in Florida for vacation w/ the families. All my friends with families travel, whether it's to Cape Cod or Florida or Europe or Mexico, or anywhere else.



It's always been this way. Some of you just never noticed through all your whining and griping, and since you ran away you now never have the chance to see it.



What's a BEC sandwich and who reveres it here??? And "goin' to the shore" IS a cultural experience for New Jersey; it's part of our history and tradition. "Cultural" has a lot of meanings. For example, where you live, it's a cultural experience to go to a huge rock mountain and worship the people who fought against the USA in the Civil War so that they could retain the right to enslave black people. That's your cultural experience down there.

If anyone's out of touch with reality, Bob, it's you. You're a bitter transplant who has an axe to grind with NJ and NJ'ans and that's all you ever do in this forum. And you're angry when people point it out.

You're not even relevant to NJ. You don't live here, you have absolutely NO stake in New Jersey whatsoever. If your life in Atlanta is SOOO wonderful, then why are you even here? Still fascinated with NJ??? Are you in this forum just to continue your whine and Jersey-bashing??? Obviously you have New Jersey on your mind every day, which is a lot more than I ever even think of Atlanta. What's your obsession with NJ???

It's like Dian Giam - what's her obsession with NJ that she keeps coming back here to this NJ forum???

You people may have left NJ, but you obviously have a hard time with the "leaving it all behind" part. I think you're all obsessed with NJ the way you're obsessed with an old girlfriend or boyfriend who dumped you but you are still in love with that one... You can say how much better off you are now, but your obsession shows who you are still really in love with.

You want to move to California?
NY , NJ, and Chicago. That is who lives there now. Many Californians have moved here to Nashville, and they like it a lot here. Some say they came here thinking they would not like it, but now don't want to leave.

As for me wanting to move back to NJ, NO WAY. Why would I want to live in a 2500 sq ft house instead of a 4500 sq ft house, and pay 3 times the amount of tax on ia smaller house. Also College is so much less here, and my daughter with graduate with no loans on her back. Its all paid for, plus she was given a Hope Schlorship for being a good Student

Also, it you are about to knock the colleges here, Why are so many from NY and NJ in my daughters school? I doubt its the tuition, I think its some of the programs offered like Aerospace and the recording industry.
Also Vanderbilt University is full with people from NY and NJ.

As far as Atlanta, I don't find it all that slow paced. After all it is a good sized city, Its slower here and being in my upper 50s I find it refreshing. I did enough running most of my life, even worked in NYC.
Now, I don't have to worry about my husband traveling thru a tunnel with endless bomb threats every night.

Diane G

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by BergenCountyJohnny

You took that statement from the Atlanta thread out of context. People who leave NJ to move to ATLANTA can't handle the pace in NJ and can't cut it.



Tell you what - I'll leave it alone when you and the other Jersey bashers stop bashing. But if people come onto the Jersey forum to bash NJ then I'm going to speak up.

I know, I know, your attitude is that people who defend NJ are NJ "cheerleaders" who want to "defend NJ to the death". Funny, you allow a whole lot of NJ bashing over here, but the instant I pointed out the negatives of Atlanta on the Atlanta forum you locked the thread. Great double standard you have there, Jersey-bashing Atlantan!

How dare anyone take pride in NJ when there is so much to criticize?? We should be talking about the problems and never, ever defend the state we live in! But Atlantans can rest assured that any such criticism of their hick heaven will not be tolerated and the gestapo will close down any such threads so as not to offend their delilcate redneck feelings.

And if and when the day comes that I move to the Southwest, you will see me in here reminiscing about the goodness of NJ and never bashing NJ. At this point in my life, no matter how much I might find another place to be "better" for me (if I even do), I have NO complaints about NJ, because the benefits of living here GREATLY outweigh any detriments, and that will not change.

I've defended NJ when it deserves defending, which is quite often, as well as criticism, which, again, is often. The former Garden Staters like myself have all gone over the pluses and negatives time and time again. The reason I dwell in this forum is multi-faceted: to me, NJ is still my home, regardless of where I wind up. I spent the first 30 something years of my life living in the state or around the state. I am a northeasterner, therefore. The more time goes by, the more of an appreciation I gain of what I left behind. The people and the associated culture, mostly. That is what I used to be highly critical about. When I first moved here, I tried to cover up where I was from, or almost be apologetic about it. Not any longer: I am proud of where I am of my origins. The negatives revolve mostly around a) system of government, and b) weather. The latter is something purely subjective. Some people like 4 seasons, specifically winter. I personally do not. If there was a single element that would make me resist a move back, that would be it. That doesn't make anyone right or wrong. The politics of the state, IMO, are a driving reason as to why I left. Every time I read about another corrupt official getting busted, or billions of dollars of red ink, getting pissed away because of out of control state spending, I feel vindicated about my move. However, every time someone mentions "disco fries" or posts a picture of the Delaware Valley, then there is definitely a feeling of melancholia!

For anyone who does leave NJ, you are going to encounter an entirely different set of problems. Especially if you are middle aged, or older. It gets more difficult then, IMO. Better to get out while you are younger. This revolves mostly around culture. NJ's culture is singularly unique and doesn't transfer well on a national level. I am talking about the NYC-Philly corridor culture, specifically. If you want to see what a lot of the rest of the country is like without driving that far, I suggest you drive through Cumberland County, if you don't want to leave NJ, (but think you've entered interior Georgia), or into the Delmarva Peninsula, south of New Castle County Delaware. It's a whole nother America.

[stevemorse]

has anyone ever read Bill Brysons book A walk In the Woods? He describes Gatlinburg so funny!!!!!

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by lammius

So true. One time I was in Sri Lanka (!!!) at a restaurant in a small town near the beach. At the time, my permanent residence was in Montclair. I found out by talking to the waiter that the chef had previously worked at a restaurant in.... Montclair, NJ! I talked with the chef and confirmed it, because I wouldn't have believed it otherwise.

Last week I was in Montreal. The man staying in the room next to mine was from Cliffside Park.

I can beat that. We met a couple in TAHITI, who got married the day after us (they were on their honeymoon too), and lived ONE BLOCK from where my DH worked in Millburn.

My brother saw an old high school classmate in a small, dark, independent theatre in nowhereville, Italy!

[Obrero]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

has anyone ever read Bill Brysons book A walk In the Woods? He describes Gatlinburg so funny!!!!!

Sure have. Bill Bryson - one of my favourite writers of all time. A genius with the English language.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by tahiti

I can beat that. We met a couple in TAHITI, who got married the day after us (they were on their honeymoon too), and lived ONE BLOCK from where my DH worked in Millburn.

My brother saw an old high school classmate in a small, dark, independent theatre in nowhereville, Italy!

I can sorta top that. When we were kids, no matter where we'd go on vacation- Florida, Maryland, VA, TN, NC, DC, whatever- we'd not only run into people from NJ, but people my father worked with at Merck. I can't count the number of times we'd run into people, hundreds of miles from home, that worked in the same "mini-city" that Merck had in Rahway.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

has anyone ever read Bill Brysons book A walk In the Woods? He describes Gatlinburg so funny!!!!!

I have to read that, I'm sure it is funny!

Diane G

[FBone]

I read in one of the Unofficial Guides to Florida/WDW that more people from New Jersey visit Florida than any other state. And that 75% of them drive. So it would make sense that many NJ plates are seen throughout the east and south.
I think it's a good thing. Traveling is such an educational experience. Quality family time. And it benefits the local economies. At least this is what I tell myself while waiting the 15 mins to pull out of my street.